UN chief urges Pakistan, India to maintain positive momentum after release of Indian pilot

F.P. Report

NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the leadership of Pakistan and India to maintain the “positive momentum” generated by the release of captive Indian fighter pilot by Pakistan.

He urged both Pakistan and India to start dialogues to de-escalate the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighboring countries.

His (UN chief’s) good offices remain available should both sides agree,” the Secretary-General’s Deputy Spokesman, Farhan Aziz Haq, said in a statement.

In his statement, Antonio said that “We welcome the news of the Pakistani authorities releasing the captive Indian pilot today,” he said, referring to the release of Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Cmdr. Abhinandan Varthaman, whose war plane was shot down by Pakistani jets on Wednesday.

The decision to free the Indian pilot was announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Imran Khan as a “peace gesture” towards India, a move welcomed by nations around the world.